Eagle County hockey association bestows top honor

Kyatt Johnson, left, was named Mountaineer of the Year for the Vail Eagle Hockey Association. Presenting the award are Dave Young, president of R & H Mechanical, and Shelly Modscheidler with R & H Mechanical. The award is named for Scott Young, founder of R & H Mechanical and a long-time supporter of local youth hockey.

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EAGLE COUNTY — Kyatt Johnson won this year’s award for being the Vail Eagle Hockey Association’s most unselfish leader.

The R & H Mechanical Mountaineer of the Year Award is presented in memory of Scott Young. The award is given to the player who was an unselfish leader and team player, and who donates time and energy to the community.

Johnson was injured last year and sat out the season, but he attended all practices and games as far away as Durango and the Front Range, supporting his teammates.

“This is the kind of character that this special award exemplifies,” said Dave Young, president of R & H Mechanical and Scott’s brother. “Many kids would have gotten down on themselves and lost the positive attitude. Kyatt remained committed and had a fantastic attitude that everyone could see.”

Johnson volunteers at the Gypsum Library to help younger kids learn to read.

Dave spoke with great emotion about his brother’s love of sports, kids and his community.

Kyatt received a plaque in memory of Scott Young, founder of R & H Mechanical, along with a $500 college scholarship check.

“The generous support of R & H Mechanical and the Young family to the Vail Eagle Hockey Association is incredible. It is especially heartwarming to give this award in memory of Scott Young, who was also exemplary as a leader and teammate, and gave so much to our community,” said Rob Trotter, with the Vail Eagle Hockey Association.

The award was created when Shelly Modsheidler of R & H Mechanical asked about making the hockey association’s award a memorial scholarship to honor Scott.

It became the Mountaineer of the Year Award for the Vail Eagle Hockey Association.